Slapstick Science is a cottage industry run from Ted's cottage in Vermont. What started as an experiment in exciting potential scientists about science a decade ago has grown into an exciting, full-time educational adventure for youngsters everywhere. We cover schools as far south as Philly, as far north as Maine, and as far west as Syracuse. If you think your students would enjoy a thrilling science program, talk to us.

Ted Lawrence

Ted Lawrence is the grunt who drives Dr. Quark's props all over New England (about 1000 miles per week) and schleps those props in and out of schools everyday. Ted is also the director, designer, builder and rigger of the Van Lodostov Family Circus.

Born to teach, Ted was certified to teach chemistry, physics, and math after majoring in Electrical Engineering at the University of Vermont. Prior to completing his B.S., Ted started teaching mime, clowning, juggling, wire walking, and stilts to neighborhood kids during the summer. He graduated from the Ringling Clown College in '86, toured with the circus for two years, and was honored to return to Clown College in '94 as a member of their faculty.

Upon leaving the circus, Ted undertook a short-lived (5 year) classroom teaching career where he found himself teaching Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, Algebra, and Physical Science in Maine, Connecticut, and Virginia. In each of these schools, while he was there, the students also had the opportunity of joining an extra-curricular Circus Club. Eventually and inevitably the melding of circus and science lead to the birth of Slapstick Science. Ted's strength's in circus skills are acrobatics, pass juggling, unicycling, wire work, and equilibristics, but anything that permits him to fly is worth trying. He unicycles about 6 miles per week, and loves skiing, rock climbing, and kayaking.

Ray Grins

Ray Grins has been a professional variety performer since he was 18. He started as a humble magician, but found his niche in circus arts when he became one of the best diabolo artists on this continent. Ray has taught circus skills for both the Van Lodostov Family Circus and the National Circus Project. He has performed in Hong Kong, the Riga Cirk (in Riga, Latvia), and as the ringmaster for Circus Jaeger. In addition to traveling with Slapstick Science, Ray also performs for family events all over New England and the greater NYC area and often graces Comedy Club stages. Ray LOVES karaoke.